On another forum someone was seeking info concerning a new prescription for osteoarthritis called Limbrel.

Curious...I goggled it and found it to be something called a "medical food" product that can only be obtained with a script from the doctor.

see:

Limbrel is the first prescription product that provides for the safe daily nutritional management of osteoarthritis. Nutritional Management in this context is grounded in that Limbrel’s ingredients are natural food-based or dietary ingredients proven effective in helping to manage osteoarthritis. Limbrel is classified as a medical product according to FDA regulation. Specifically, Limbrel meets the definitional requirements of what FDA terms a “medical food” product. As in other food-based products, Limbrel’s ingredients are safe

and

Limbrel contains flavocoxid, a proprietary blend of natural ingredients from phytochemical food source materials. Flavocoxid is comprised primarily of the flavonoids such as baicalin and catechin. These or similar ingredients can be found in common foods such as soy, peanuts, cauliflower, kale, apples, apricots, cocoa and green tea. The fact that these and similar ingredients have been widely researched and used in medicinal products in other countries also supports biacalin and catechin’s safety and effectiveness. Limbrel provides levels of these flavonoids needed to meet the distinctive nutritional requirements of people with osteoarthritis and cannot be obtained through simply changing the diet

from the websie: http://www.limbrel.com

SOooo my question is...

Why do some vitamins and "medical foods" (B12 shots, Limbrel) require scripts from a physician? Why aren't they simply marketed OTC?

Thank you...Car;y